Android phone not ringing? 8 settings to check

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Calls that arrive silently or go straight to voicemail are nearly always caused by a setting. Work through these in order.

Step by step

1. Raise the ring volume

   Press a volume button, then tap the three dots or the settings icon on the volume panel. Drag the Ring slider up. If the icon above the slider shows a crossed-out bell or a vibrating phone, tap it until it shows a bell.

   Done

2. Turn off Do Not Disturb

   Swipe down twice from the top and check the Do Not Disturb or Modes tile. Bedtime mode silences calls too.

   Done

3. Turn off Airplane mode

   An aeroplane icon in the status bar means no calls can arrive.

   Done

4. Disconnect Bluetooth

   The ring may be playing in headphones, a watch or the car. Switch Bluetooth off as a test.

   Done

5. Check call forwarding

   In the Phone app, tap the three dots, Settings, Calling accounts or Supplementary services, Call forwarding. Turn off Always forward.

   Done

6. Check blocked numbers

   In Phone settings, open Blocked numbers. Remove the caller if listed, and switch off Unknown if you want hidden numbers to ring.

   Done

7. Check the ringtone

   Open Settings, Sound & vibration, Phone ringtone and pick a sound. A ringtone file that was deleted leaves calls silent.

   Done

8. Restart the phone

   A restart clears a stuck audio route.

   Done

Good to know

Call screening and spam filters, on Pixel phones under Phone settings, can decline suspected spam before it rings.

If only one caller does not ring, open that contact, tap the three dots and check Route to voicemail.

If there is no sound at all, including music, clean the speaker openings gently with a dry soft brush and test again.

In short: Ring volume up, Do Not Disturb off, Airplane mode off, check forwarding and blocked numbers.